Landreau loss angers Balmont

Florent Balmont let out his frustration over the recent departure of Mickael Landreau after Lille's win over Toulouse.

Goals from Marko Basa and Dimitri Payet ended LOSC's four-match winless run in Ligue 1, a difficult period which also saw France international Landreau's contract terminated last week.

And Balmont told L'Equipe after the game at the Grand Stade Metropole: "It's certainly good to win because we are going through a difficult time with Micka's departure.

"I held back from speaking on the subject before because Franck (Beria) and Mathieu (Debuchy) did so, but it hurt us because it was an important player that left.

"It has been going on for years, big players leaving us. These are the hazards of football.

"Now, the page is turned and we have to move on to other things. We responded well but we have to keep it going."

Coach Rudi Garcia preferred to focus on an overdue return to winning ways, following defeats to Lorient and Marseille and draws with Bastia and Sochaux.

"Two points in the last four games was not enough but the (1-1 draw) at Sochaux gave me lots of hope," he said.

"It is very satisfying to see the group rewarded for their efforts."

Payet's goal was his first since October 27's win over Valenciennes but Garcia said: "He is giving his all at the moment. It is not just his attacking talent, he is working unselfishly - he is a great asset."